Compared to the same three-month period in 2010, visitor numbers to the UK increased by eight per cent, while over the course of the year tourism jumped by four per cent.

This growth was partly due to a three per cent increase in European visitors, a two per cent jump in North American tourists and ten per cent jump from other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, visits by UK travellers increased by five per cent to 14.5 million, while Brits' foreign spending increased by six per cent to £7.9 billion.

In the 12 months leading up to June 2011, visits to foreign countries made by UK citizens increased by only one per cent, from 56.1 million to 56.4 million.

Visits to Europe remained broadly the same, while visits to North America increased by five per cent to 3.7 million.

During the same period, overseas spending increased by one per cent to £31.5 billion, while tourists brought in £17.2 billion, an increase of four per cent.

A recent survey revealed that British families are likely to fall into debt to cover the cost of their overseas excursions.

One in five parents admitted they were likely to go into debt over the summer holiday, with 76 per cent of households relying on credit cards or an overdraft facility, while 22 per cent plan to take out a loan.